VBA Next

GAME BOY ADVANCE EMULATOR CORE

VBA Next

VBA Next is a Libretro core that provides Game Boy Advance emulation. It is a Libretro/RetroArch port built from VBA-M code with performance and compatibility backports and core-specific options (optional GBA BIOS support, savestate and saves handling, core options exposed through RetroArch).

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VBA Next emulator screenshot.

Game Boy AdvancePRIMARY SYSTEM

History documentedPROJECT BEGAN

Open sourcePROJECT MODEL

WHY IT MATTERS

Why this core exists

VBA Next was created to provide a lightweight, RetroArch-compatible Game Boy Advance core derived from VBA-M. It aims to bring VBA-M's GBA emulation into the Libretro core ecosystem with some performance and compatibility improvements, and with integration into RetroArch’s core/options and directory conventions.

BEST FOR

When to use VBA Next

Use VBA Next when you want a VBA-M–derived GBA core inside RetroArch/other libretro frontends—especially on platforms where VBA Next is available from the frontend’s core downloader and you prefer VBA-M behaviour over alternatives (for example when you want specific behavior related to saves, audio, or a particular compatibility profile).

The people behind VBA Next

History and upstream

VBA Next is an optimized Libretro port of VBA-M’s GBA core. The Libretro documentation attributes authorship to Forgotten, the VBA-M team and Squarepusher and lists the core under the GPLv2 license. The project lives in the libretro/vba-next repository; its codebase contains Makefiles and libretro glue so it can be built as a libretro core. The Libretro documentation page describes its background, core options, BIOS handling and a short compatibility list for a few games and hardware-specific features (for example tilt/solar sensors are not emulated). The core is listed in Libretro's core list and is distributed to frontends via the usual core distribution mechanisms (RetroArch online updater and build systems that package libretro cores).

What VBA Next supports

Runs as a libretro core (requires a libretro frontend such as RetroArch)
Platforms where RetroArch/libretro frontends run: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, many single-board computers and some handheld/console ports (availability depends on frontend/platform build)
Saves: cartridge battery saves (.srm) and RetroArch states (.state#)
Optional GBA BIOS support (gba_bios.bin)

Download and availability

OFFICIAL DOWNLOADS

Get VBA Next

VBA Next cores are distributed through libretro/RetroArch core distribution. The usual ways to obtain it are: (1) use your libretro frontend’s Online Updater / Core Downloader (RetroArch → Online Updater → Core Updater) or (2) download/build the core from the libretro/vba-next GitHub repository. The Libretro documentation core list also links to the core info and download guidance.

Get VBA Next ↗

DOCUMENTATION

Official documentation

Read the official configuration, compatibility, and troubleshooting material before changing advanced options.

Read official documentation ↗

Broken or missing download? Emulator projects move and official links sometimes change. Please contact Retro Replay so the source can be verified and updated.

VBA Next setup guide

Setup note: Practical steps to install and run the VBA Next libretro core (assumes you are using RetroArch as the frontend). If you use a different libretro frontend, the steps are similar but file locations may differ.

1) Obtain the core: Open RetroArch (or another libretro frontend) and use Online Updater → Core Updater → find and download 'VBA Next' (core name may appear as vba_next or VBA Next). If you prefer building or obtaining prebuilt cores manually, clone or download source from the libretro/vba-next GitHub repository and follow its Makefile/libretro build instructions to produce a libretro .so / .dll / .dylib core for your platform.
2) Place your ROMs: Put Game Boy Advance ROM files (.gba) in a content directory accessible to your frontend. Use consistent filenames—RetroArch cores use the ROM filename (exact) to derive save filenames (.srm).
3) (Optional) Install the GBA BIOS: If you want the core to use the Game Boy Advance BIOS, place a gba_bios.bin file in your frontend’s system/BIOS directory (RetroArch: system directory configured under Settings → Directory → System/BIOS). Then open the core options for VBA Next and enable 'Use bios if available' (this option requires restarting the core). The libretro docs list the expected filename and the BIOS md5; the BIOS file is optional and not provided with the core.
4) Configure core options and input: Load the VBA Next core, then load a ROM. From the Quick Menu you can access Core Options to change 'Use bios if available' and any other exposed options. Confirm controller mappings in the Controls section (RetroPad mapping is supported). Input remapping and RetroArch input profiles work as usual.
5) Saves, states and directories: Cartridge battery saves are stored by default as 'content-name'.srm in your frontend's Save directory. Savestates created through the frontend appear as 'content-name'.state#. Back up save files if migrating between cores or frontends; filename matching matters for cores to find saves automatically.
6) Platform-specific notes and performance: VBA Next is intended to run as a libretro core wherever RetroArch or another frontend supports cores. Performance and audio behavior will vary by platform and frontend build; if you run on low-power ARM devices check your frontend's platform guidance. If a core for your platform is not available from the Online Updater, you can build the core from source using the repository Makefile and a matching libretro toolchain for your platform.
7) Troubleshooting and compatibility: If a specific game has issues, try toggling the BIOS option, changing core/video options in the frontend, or testing alternative GBA cores (mGBA, Beetle GBA, gpSP). Note the core’s documented compatibility entries (examples: solar/tilt sensors are not emulated). For bugs or feature requests, open an issue in the libretro/vba-next GitHub repository.

Software reminder: VBA Next is a libretro core only; you need a libretro frontend (such as RetroArch) to run it. The Game Boy Advance BIOS, commercial game ROMs, and other copyrighted files are not included and must be provided by the user where required and legal.

Sources and further reading

Detailed guides and tutorials

Explore step-by-step guides for VBA Next as they are published.

Use VBA Next on Android

An Android ARM64 Libretro build exists for VBA Next. Run the core through RetroArch for Android; the standalone desktop download and Android core may have different menus and features.

Emulates: Game Boy Advance.

Verified Android core build ↗ · Browse all Android emulators →